Netanyahu struggles as ultra-Orthodox military draft faces resistance
- Israeli High Court ruled that the military must start drafting ultra-Orthodox men for service, increasing pressure on the government.
- The ongoing war in Gaza has brought the issue of military enlistment and equality to the forefront of public debate.
- Netanyahu faces significant political challenges as he tries to balance the demands of his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners with broader public opinion.
In Israel, a significant legal and political challenge has surfaced regarding the compulsory military service for young ultra-Orthodox men. The High Court of Israel made a historic ruling mandating the military to draft members of this community, which has traditionally been exempt due to their full-time religious studies in seminaries. This change, judged by many to be long overdue, coincides with heightened tensions and public scrutiny following ongoing conflicts in Gaza, which have put a glaring spotlight on the responsibilities shared by all Israeli citizens regarding military service. The demographic of the ultra-Orthodox community, which constitutes approximately 13% of Israel’s population, has seen significant growth, making the existing exemption policy equity question increasingly pressing. In the past, military service in Israel has been compulsory, obliging most Jewish men to complete nearly three years, followed by years of reserve duties. The compromise allowing ultra-Orthodox students to avoid this service was made years ago by David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. The context for this shift is multilayered, reflecting ongoing societal tensions. The recent conflicts and the resultant casualties—around 870 Israeli soldiers killed—have intensified public debate about fairness in military enlistment. Many view the ultra-Orthodox exemption as unequal and out of touch with the realities faced by their peers who serve on the front lines. Amid rising dissatisfaction, segments of Netanyahu's own Likud party have begun to push for a more balanced approach in addressing the draft, causing friction with Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. This issue is now emerging as a crucial test of Netanyahu’s political stability. He is facing calls from the opposition to act decisively and address the urgent demands of fair enlistment as pressure builds in both legislative and public arenas. If political maneuvering does not produce a satisfactory resolution soon, it could lead to significant shifts in the Israeli political landscape, potentially culminating in new elections. As the situation unfolds, the ultra-Orthodox community’s reaction to any proposed reforms will likely be closely monitored and could dictate the future of military conscription policy in Israel.